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SHP 2 - CBA 1 [Gordon Cup Rd II]
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h o c k e y
Rocking Robinson
Sunday, February 22, 2004 By DAN ROSEN STAFF WRITER BERGEN RECORD [shp photo by RCM]
 Terry Robinson has dealt with it throughout his career. Living in Upper Saddle River and playing for
Seton Hall Prep means the senior goalie has to hear talk of Bergen County hockey, mostly of Bergen Catholic and Don Bosco, on a consistent basis.
Hardly anyone discusses the Pirates, but Robinson doesn't care.
"I'm not a big talker," he said. "I like to let my actions speak for themselves. I would much rather play and come out with a win."
He's done that quite often at Seton Hall Prep, especially this season. Robinson enters the Gordon Cup
playoffs with a 9-2-1 record, a 1.42 goals against average and five shutouts for the top-seeded Pirates (13-8-1 overall, 11-3 Gordon), who play the winner of Monday's Don Bosco at Christian Brothers
Academy first-round game.
"I've never seen [the Gordon Conference race] this close," Robinson said. "There are so many good teams that each game any one team
can win. That just means we have to get up for every game. We can't take any game off, or we could be going home."
Robinson has won seven Gordon Conference games this season, including victories over St. John Vianney and Don Bosco. He splits time
with junior goalie Kevin Bendel, who he has known since their days together in pee-wee hockey playing for current SHP coach Peter Herms.
"I've known him throughout my whole life, and we split time [in pee-wees] too," Robinson said. "I've grown up with him, and we both
understand each other. We're competitive, but we push each other. And you see some guys who are worn down by March. Kevin and I, we stay fresh."
Robinson's next stop is likely Notre Dame, where he hopes to continue his hockey career playing in the Division I Central Collegiate Athletic
Association. However, at this point, he's only had preliminary discussions with Irish coach Dave Poulin.
"Right now he's in the middle of his season and I'm in the middle of mine. We just have to figure out the next step," Robinson said. "He
went over the goaltending situation he has now, and he thought just in case anything changes he wanted to keep in touch and see what I can do. Nothing is ever promised."
Thinking about the next step can wait. Robinson first wants to complete his senior season with a win at Continental Arena on March 22 in the Tournament of Champions.
"I guess it will be everything I wanted my senior season to be if we win the State championship," Robinson said. "When you get together in
November and start skating, that is the one goal." |
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b' b a l l
Seton Hall Prep advances to finals over Irvington
Sunday, February 22, 2004 BY MIKE KINNEY For the Star-Ledger
When Plan A stopped working for Seton Hall Prep against Irvingtons active zone, it had no alternative but to promptly switch to Plan B.
But in order to get there, Seton Hall had to carve its way
through congestion, fight for putbacks and hope that it was able to draw contact on its misses inside.
"We weren't hitting
jumpers, so we just tried to take it to the basket and try to find a rhythm," Seton Hall junior forward Brandon Costner said. "We had to find some way to keep shooting."
That way was from the foul
line. Seton Hall, No. 2 in The Star-Ledger Top 20 and seeded No. 1, sank 22 of 33 from the line, including 11 of 16 in the fourth quarter to squeeze by fourth-seeded Irvington, 58-53, last night in the semifinals of the
58th Essex County Tournament at Newarks Essex County College. Seton Hal'ls ability to get to the line overshadowed the fine play of Irvington sophomore Lamar Williams, who scored a career-high 24 points.
This wasn't the prettiest semifinal exhibition for Seton Hall, which will seek its 10th title and play in its 17th championship game at 1 p.m. Saturday against third-seeded Bloomfield Tech in Newark.
"Irvington did a lot to make us look so bad," Seton Hall coach Bob Farrell said. "They fought us for a lot of stuff all day. They got us hesitant in all aspects of the game. Even in our press
breaker -- something we usually handle very well -- we were tentative." Costner was not squeamish on the boards, scoring 23 points and pulling down a career-high 16 rebounds. By far his biggest was a putback off a
missed free throw with 1:31 to play for a 51-46 Seton Hall lead. "It's a two-point game and they're at the line. They make one, then miss but get the rebound and score. That killed us," Irvington coach Eugene
Robinson said.
Irvington missed a quick 3-point attempt soon after Costner's putback and Seton Hall gained possession. Costner was fouled but missed both attempts with 52 seconds left. Teammate
Andrew Pusar grabbed the second miss and was fouled. He made both free throws and the lead went to 53-46. "It was a tough game, but I wasn't surprised," Costner said. "We knew coming in they were a scrappy team
that liked to press. We thought it would be a hard-fought game and it was."
Robinson was hoping for a bit more stability down the stretch, but was relying upon a freshman and two sophomores for
poise. "In the end our youth came out," Robinson said. "Quick shots, one or no rebounds and some bad fouls. Were getting there, but were not there yet."
SETON HALL PREP (58): Pusar 6-0-11-23, Andrews 0-0-3-3, Braswell 1-1-1-6, Costner 6-1-7-22, Wujciak 1-0-0-2,
Harvey Jr. 1-0-0-2, Solomon 0-0-0-0. Totals: 15-2-22-58.
IRVINGTON (53): Jean Pierre 0-1-0-3, Wilburn 4-0-2-10, Smith 1-0-2-4, Flowers 0-0-0-0,
Williams 6-4-0-24, Galarce 0-1-0-3, Ojibara 0-0-0-0, Robinson 0-0-0-0, Dixon 2-1-0-7, Lluonakhalume 1-0-0-2.
Totals: 14-7- 4-53.
Seton Hall Prep (21-2) 17 7 14 20 -- 58
Irvington (11-9) 14 11 14 14 -- 53 |
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• SHP 58 - Irvington 53
[Semi-finals of ECT]
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w r e s t l i n g
Allen tribute highlights great evening
Wednesday, February 11, 2004 BY BOB BEHRE
For the Star-Ledger [photo by Noah Addis, Star-Ledger]
 John Allen made a habit of flooring people with his mental dexterity during his 49-year coaching
career.
He certainly didn't change his style last night when many of the boys he helped turn into quality
men honored him during a reception prior to the Seton Hall Prep-St. Benedict's Prep wrestling match in Newark.
"I ran into a former student recently," Allen said. "When I asked him how things were going, he said, 'After Allen, life gets easy.'"
Allen's "boys" came to escort him into coaching retirement -- he concluded his coaching career
at his last stop, Seton Hall Prep, last March -- and to again embrace the man whose lessons they've carried into adulthood.
The reception honored Allen for his dedication to his alma mater -- he was in St. Benedict's class of 1954 -- and Seton Hall, where he is in his 32nd year of teaching math. He coached football
for six years and wrestling for the past 14 seasons at Seton Hall Prep.
The large gathering at the St. Benedict's gym watched a terrific match that was won by St. Benedict's, 33-32.
In 2001, Allen received a wrestling coach's ultimate honor, the Harry E. Lake Award, presented each year by the state wrestling officials
and coaches to an individual who has greatly contributed to the sport in New Jersey.
Discipline has been the centerpiece of Allen's teachings and the cornerstone of all of his teams. "John doesn't bend," Seton Hall Prep
athletic director Joe Walsh said. "Winning was never more important to him than doing the right thing."
Allen dedicated his entire speech last night to singling out his student-athletes and the men who worked as his assistants. In typical Allen
fashion, he provided a motivator to ensure perfect attendance. "When I reached out to my former assistants, I told them I had withheld
some pay over the years and was prepared to present them with the proceeds," Allen said.
Meanwhile, a current Seton Hall wrestler, Jack Decker, also gave his praise. Decker competed for Allen the past three seasons and
recently became the school's all-time winningest wrestler and its first to win 100 career bouts. "Wrestling under Coach Allen isn't just about
sports," said Decker, who is ranked No. 6 in the state at 140 pounds. "He taught us lessons about life."
Triple gold for Seton Hall
Wednesday, February 11, 2004 BY BOB BEHRE For the Star-Ledger
Three wrestlers from Seton Hall Prep won individual titles at the Essex County Tournament this past weekend, making it the West Orange
squad's most successful tournament since 1983, when it won six championships before it went on to capture the Parochial A state title.
Jack Decker (140 pounds), Angelo DiLeo (160) and Chris Birchler (215) claimed titles, with DiLeo earning his third straight county crown and second at 160. Seton Hall came in second to Livingston.
"I felt every kid who entered contributed to our success," Seton Hall coach Dino DeBellonia said. "The kids knew how important those
bonus points are and that, ultimately, the most important part of wrestling is to get the pin."
Birchler (18-4), a junior, showed his aggressiveness when he pinned top-seeded Zach Rice of Caldwell in 2:06 after trailing early in the match.
DiLeo recorded two falls and a major decision before winning a 7-1 decision over Zaki Johnson in the final. DiLeo, a junior, next season
will attempt to become the first wrestler since Joe Dubuque of Glen Ridge and Pat Trabucco of Livingston in 2001 to win four straight Essex County titles.
Decker, sixth in the state last season at 125, registered three falls and recorded his 100th career victory in the quarterfinals. A 7-0
decision over Seth Podhoretz of Millburn gave him his first county title. Decker (20-2, 102-21 career), a senior, became the first wrestler
in Seton Hall history to win 100 career matches. Decker is also Seton Hall's all-time winningest wrestler, passing 2003 graduate Steve Fordyce (152), who finished with 95 victories.
Allen brings out excellence on and off mats
Tuesday, February 10, 2004 BY BOB BEHRE
For the Star-Ledger
When all the frills of his accomplishments as a coach and athlete are pared away, John Allen is simply a math teacher.
And that's what matters most to him.
"Teaching was always the key for me," Allen said. "Sports is just the icing on the cake. I've never had thoughts of sports while in the classroom."
The breadth of his athletic accomplishments defy hyperbole. A disciple of legendary St. Benedict's Prep multisport coach Joe
Kasberger, Allen absorbed life lessons from his mentor and liberally spread the word during parts of six decades before concluding his
49-year coaching career last spring at Seton Hall Prep. "Something I took from Joe Kasberger was that you had to have a desire to excel and
to make the fullest effort you can," Allen said. "I'm sure he meant, at whatever you are doing, not just sports."
Allen's own disciples will drag him to St. Benedict's in Newark tonight to be honored for his years of devotion to the sport of wrestling
and particularly to its athletes. Before the 7 p.m. match between St. Benedict's and Seton Hall, Allen will be feted with a reception and will
be presented a plaque. "I was snookered," Allen said after learning of the details of the event. "I don't like it. I'd much rather leave quietly."
Allen did leave the coaching ranks quietly after his 14th season at Seton Hall last year, refusing any fuss be made about what he calls
"lightening the workload" at 67. Allen is still, after all, teaching math at Seton Hall with no plans for retirement. But Allen's departure from
the coaching ranks not only leaves a void seemingly impossible to fill, it demands retrospection and, as apropos in regard to Allen, perspective.
As a sophomore at Seton Hall University, where he threw fastballs on scholarship to a catcher named Mike Sheppard, he began his career
as head wrestling coach at his alma mater, St. Benedict's. "John was 22 or 23 when I got to St. Benedict's in 1958," said Mike Caruso, who
became a legendary wrestler at St. Benedict's and in college at Lehigh. "By the time he was 25, he had already accomplished what it would take other coaches a lifetime."
Caruso would record an 81-0 career record at St. Benedict's before going on to Lehigh, where he became that proud wrestling school's
only three-time NCAA champion (1965-67) while posting a 152-2 record. Allen's St. Benedict's teams would win 40 straight dual meets from
1959 through '62 while seeking out the best competition in the state. His teams produced 43 state prep tournament champions and eight
national prep tournament champions from 1955 through '65. Allen went on to have just as much success during stops at Vailsburg High
(since closed) in Newark, Seton Hall University, Essex Catholic in Newark and East Orange, Summit and Seton Hall Prep. He already was a
living legend when a first-year Mountain High (a West Orange school since closed) coach by the name of Rick Thompson met him at the 1978 Essex County Tournament.
"John came up to me and said he liked watching me wrestle," said Thompson, a two-time state champion at Phillipsburg who would go on
to become one of the state's finest coaches ever. He is the current coach at Phillipsburg. "I said thanks and that I couldn't believe he was
still coaching after all these years. "And that was 1978."
Allen was then in his fourth of 12 years at Essex Catholic, where his charges would earn 28 district and 10 region individual
championships. In his remarkable 49 years, Allen's wrestlers would win 62 district titles and 20 region crowns, mostly after Allen had either
initiated or resurrected a dormant program. "John's an innovator," said current Seton Hall Prep assistant Bob Mautone, who wrestled for
Allen at Essex Catholic in the late 1970s. "No one was better at taking a new wrestler in ninth grade and catching him up with everyone."
Allen has always deflected praise. Referring to his three years (1987 through '89) at Summit, during which his wrestlers brought home
seven district and five region championships, he says, "I finally had the advantage of coaching a group of wrestlers who had received skills-training prior to high school."
Indeed, Allen's typical wrestling prospects either came off the streets of Newark and East Orange (St. Benedict's, Vailsburg, Essex
Catholic) knowing nothing of wrestling, or, in the case of Seton Hall Prep, came to their school of choice to play football, baseball or another
sport and suddenly found themselves in a singlet. "John is my model as a coach," Sheppard, who went on to win 998 baseball games as coach
at Seton Hall University, said. "He puts athletes ahead of winning and his programs produce tremendous kids. He has never compromised his principles and standards."
Allen's message was clearly received by everyone -- at private, parochial and public schools and by untrained and polished athletes alike.
"His legacy is not simply creating great wrestlers as much as it is producing thousands of kids who are contributing to their communities," Caruso said.
"Wrestling under Coach Allen isn't just about sports," said current wrestler Jack Decker, who is ranked No. 6 in the state at 140 pounds. "He taught us lessons about life."
In 2001, Allen was presented with the Harry E. Lake Award, a prestigious honor that the wrestling officials and coaches present annually
to an individual who has greatly contributed to the sport in New Jersey.
Those who've embraced Allen in the wrestling community may not be aware of his success as a football and baseball coach. He earned
Coach of the Year honors from The Star-Ledger and New York Daily News for the performance of his 1970 Vailsburg football team that
finished No. 5 in the state. Allen also had coaching stops at Kean College (football, 1968 through '74) and Weehawken High (football and baseball, 1958 and '59).
Discipline has always been the centerpiece of Allen's teachings and the cornerstone of all of his teams. "John doesn't bend," Seton Hall
Prep athletic director Joe Walsh said. "Winning was never more important to him than doing the right thing."
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• SHP 76 - Shabazz 49
[1st round of ECT]
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• SHP 28 - ROX 37
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